Compact disc marking method and apparatus

Abstract

A device and method for engraving a compact disc. The device accepts the compact disc from a person, and transports the compact disc to a work station. After the user makes payment, as by insertion of coins, debit card, or the like, and the device recognizes and accepts the payment, the user programs the device with data corresponding to desired indicia. The data is transmitted to an orthogonal controller which guides and operates a rotating blade to mark the compact disc according to the programmed data. The compact disc is thus marked, then returned to the user. A dispenser for dispensing a label attachable to the compact disc case or any part thereof is optionally provided integrally to the device. The device finds application in a publicly available machine for marking compact discs with a permanent inscription indicating ownership, celebrating an event of personal importance, or like expression on the part of the user.

I claim: 
     
       1. A compact disc marking apparatus comprising: a marking device confined within the apparatus for marking indicia upon a flat synthetic, polymeric surface of a compact disc in a clear unrecorded portion on a front face thereof, including: a marking means for projecting energy selected from the group consisting of routing, hot stamping high voltage, high pressure fluid jets, and laser onto and modifying the polymeric surface, and   a means for controlling the position of said projecting energy in three axes, thereby selectively focussing said energy onto the polymeric surface in forming a selected indicia;     a data input device for accepting data corresponding to said selected indicia; and   a programmable controller for accepting a data input from said data input device and transmitting corresponding commands to said marking device to form the selected indicia on said compact disc.   
     
     
       2. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising compact disc positioning means at an opening for accepting a compact disc from a person holding the disc, and moving the compact disc to a predetermined, fixed location proximate said marking apparatus, and returning the disc to said opening which is accessible to the person using said marking apparatus. 
     
     
       3. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising activation means for recognizing and accepting payment, and activating said marking apparatus responsive to successful acceptance of payment. 
     
     
       4. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a manual data entry means selected from the group consisting of a keypad device, a touch type screen device, and a sound responsive device for enabling a user to input predetermined, selected indicia to said marking apparatus. 
     
     
       5. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data input device comprises a keypad device. 
     
     
       6. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the data input device comprises a sound responsive device. 
     
     
       7. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the data input device comprises a touch type screen device. 
     
     
       8. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the touch type screen device is operated by pressing on a surface of said touch type screen device with a user's finger. 
     
     
       9. The compact disc marking apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the touch type screen device is operated by pressing on a surface of said touch type screen device with a stylus. 
     
     
       10. The marking apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a label at a separate location from said opening dispenser for dispensing a label. 
     
     
       11. A method of marking indicia upon an unmarked compact disc in a compact work station usable by the public, comprising the steps of: providing a compact work station usable by the public;   securing a compact disc at a fixed location of the compact work station;   activating the compact work station by making a payment in recognizable form selected from the group consisting of coins, currency, credit cards, and debit cards to the compact enabling apparatus;   entering data corresponding to predetermined indicia into a programmable controller by providing a device selected from the group consisting of a keypad device, a touch type screen device and a sound responsive device;   translating the data to commands controlling an automated three-axis orthogonal marking apparatus; and   marking the clear unrecorded portion of a front face of the compact disc with the predetermined indicia by manipulating the automated marking apparatus in three axes in response to the orthogonal control system by engraving a substantially permanent indicia on said clear unrecorded portion of the compact disc.   
     
     
       12. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim 11, wherein the user receives the indicia marked compact disc from the same fixed location as the unmarked compact disc was secured. 
     
     
       13. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim 11, wherein the indicia is selected from the group consisting of a gift message, a holiday greeting, a commercial message, a religious message, and a political message. 
     
     
       14. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim wherein the indicia is a name. 
     
     
       15. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim 11, wherein the indicia is selected from the group consisting of letters, symbols, and pictorial depictions. 
     
     
       16. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim 11, wherein the engraving is performed by an energy projecting device selected from the group consisting of a router, a hot stamper, a high voltage producer, high pressure fluid jets, and a laser. 
     
     
       17. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim 11, wherein the engraving is performed by a router. 
     
     
       18. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim 11, wherein a separate printer within the compact work station is provided to dispense adhesive backed preprinted labels repeating the indicia marked upon the compact disc. 
     
     
       19. The method of marking a compact disc according to claim 11, wherein a separate printer within the compact work station is provided to dispense adhesive backed preprinted labels including a warning that the marked compact disc is identified as to its owner. 
     
     
       20. A compact disc bearing indicia marked by the method of claim 11, comprising; a flat synthetic, polymeric surfaced compact disc having a clear unrecorded portion surrounding a post hole on a front face;   said clear unrecorded portion bearing on its surface a substantially permanent indicia selected from the group consisting of a name, a gift message, a holiday greeting, a commercial message, a religious message, a political message, and mixtures thereof.